Famous quotes

The final words said by someone can leave quite an impression. Not just because of their significance to someone’s life, being the last recorded thoughts they have, but they often take on a greater meaning. Especially when they are poignant or funny. And many famous people have spoken extremely memorable words in their final moments.

When writing a sympathy card message it’s often useful to include profound or touching quotes. The last words of famous people can be helpful in this regard as some have said very fitting things for a card. They might help to provide comfort or understanding to the bereaved.

So take a look at some of the last words of a variety of famous people below.

“I’m bored with it all” – Winston Churchill Spoken just before he slipped into a coma.

“I’m losing it” – Frank Sinatra Spoken to his wife who was at his bedside when he died.

“Happy” – Raphael His reported last word

“I should never have switched from scotch to martinis.” – Humphrey Bogart

“Money can’t buy life” – Bob Marley

“Oh wow.” – Steve Jobs Repeated three times after a long last look at his family.

“It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” – Kurt Cobain Written in his suicide note.

“I’d hate to die twice. It’s so boring.” – Richard Feynman

“Goodbye Kid. Hurry back.” – Humphrey Bogart Said to Lauren Bacall as she briefly left his bedside.

“I’m going away tonight.” – James Brown

“I finally get to see Marilyn.” – Joe DiMaggio

“I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” – Leonardo da Vinci

“This is the last of earth. I am content. ” – John Quincy Adams Said when he collapsed after a stroke in the US Senate.

“I’m shot.” – John Lennon Repeated twice as he was shot outside his apartment building in New York.

“Don’t die like I did.” – George Best Handwritten on a card by his hospital deathbed.

“You will not find me alive at sunrise.” – Michel de Nostradamus

“I am not the least afraid to die.” – Charles Darwin

“You are wonderful.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Said to his wife

“I want nothing but death.” – Jane Austen Said to her sister Cassandra on her deathbed.

“I told you I was ill.” – Spike Milligan The epitaph (translated form the Gaelic) that he requested for his gravestone.

“France, the army, the head of the army, Joséphine.” – Napoléon Bonaparte

“Nancy, I want you to know my last thoughts are of you.” – P. T. Barnum Said to his wife a few hours before he died.

“Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way.” – Erskine Childers An encouragement to his firing squad.

“Music has been my doorway of perception and the house that I live in.” – David Bowie Said to his friend Gary Oldman towards the end of his life.

“Pardon me. I didn’t do it on purpose.” – Marie Antoinette After accidentally stepping on her executioner’s foot as she climbed the scaffold to the guillotine.

“I’d rather be skiing.” – Stan Laurel His response when having his last injection.

“Let not poor Nelly starve.” – King Charles II Said in reference to Nell Gwynne, after the stroke from which he died.

“My Florida water.” – Lucille Ball Said when asked if there was anything she wanted.

“It is not my design to drink or sleep. My design is to make what haste I can to be gone.” – Oliver Cromwell His response when offered a drink by a servant.

Augustus Caesar – To his subjects he reportedly said: “I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble.” And to his friends who were with him throughout his reign he said: “Have I played the part well? Then applaud me as I exit.”

“Thomas Jefferson survives.” – John Adams Jefferson had actually died some hours earlier, also on July 4, the day he died

“It is very beautiful out there.” – Thomas Edison Said right before his death, Edison came out of a coma and opened his eyes. He was probably referring to the view outside his window.

“Why do you weep. Did you think I was immortal?” – Louis XIV, King of France

“It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.” – George Washington

“Go on, get out – last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” – Karl Marx